Garda recruitment imbalance
Deputy Rabbitte highlighted the low share of new Garda recruits going to western counties and asked how the imbalance would be corrected. The Tánaiste said deployment was an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner but he would relay the concern.
My question relates to the commitments given in the programme for Government in respect of new recruits in An Garda Síochána. In response to a parliamentary question tabled by Deputy Michael McGrath on 5 March the Minister for Justice and Equality said there had been 2,400 new recruits since 2015. Of that number, Galway only received 36, while Sligo-Leitrim received 24, Westmeath, 36; Longford-Roscommon and Mayo, 18 each; and Donegal, 54. Therefore, only 8.5% of new recruits have been deployed along the western seaboard. How does the Government intend to redress the regional imbalance in the deployment of new recruits in An Garda Síochána?
Comment on this
While I take it that the Deputy's figures are accurate, I point out that where new recruits are sent is determined by demand in policing in different areas, as decided by An Garda Síochána. Deployment is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner, but I will certainly pass on the Deputy's question to the Minister for Justice and Equality.